Aa
Are you serious?
I am a bit disappointed with the quality of the questions. is it always like this?
hi and welcome to the forum i see from your profile that you are about to start tx if you tell us more about yourself ie geno type what tx you are going to start then maybe we can help you,my hubby just finished tx and without the support and sound honest advice from this site i dont know how we would have coped. Good luck for future
Not sure exactly which questions you're referring to, but this forum does get a bunch of "can I get HCV from this or that". Its sometimes difficult to separate the serious questions from the trolls, so most give a short honest reply to direct the OP to more information which is readily available online.
I think the more important thing is the quality of the answers. There are many knowledgeable forum members who are very willing to give informative responses and guidance - sometimes better than the caregivers.
As in any forum there is an ebb and flow of activity. I'd like to think that there are no bad questions, but some do seem silly. It does take a while to sort things out, so welcome to the forum, and feel free to ask away. ;)
I think the more important thing is the quality of the answers. There are many knowledgeable forum members who are very willing to give informative responses and guidance - sometimes better than the caregivers.
As in any forum there is an ebb and flow of activity. I'd like to think that there are no bad questions, but some do seem silly. It does take a while to sort things out, so welcome to the forum, and feel free to ask away. ;)
I have a question for you. On your profile it says you are about to start hepatitis C treatment. Then you make a reference to "complementary medicine." What exactly does that mean?
There are thousands of questions asked on this forum, some of them not so good, but, as pointed out above, they all get pretty good answers. The good ones out number the questionable ones by a wide margin. I suggest ignoring the not so good ones...Mark
What, you don't like questions on flaming dragon bvtt? Try some of these threads.
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/HepResearcher-doctor-on-various-topics/show/38?cid=64
I'm always up for a good discussion on replicative homeostasis or anything else for that matter. The forum is what we make it.
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/HepResearcher-doctor-on-various-topics/show/38?cid=64
I'm always up for a good discussion on replicative homeostasis or anything else for that matter. The forum is what we make it.
The general public typically lacks medical knowledge beyond physical fitness... so when they're told they or someone they love has HCV.... well, a lot of questions arise which seem to clueless to be real to most of us. But when I think of my own medical knowledge 40 years ago when I most likely contracted it... I'd have been in the same boat. Criticizing is easy, but helping can be difficult.
I wouldn`t have made it thru the first 12 weeks of treatment(TX) without this forum. If you start having side-effects(SX) this is the place to ask. I should say WHEN you start having SX but I really hope that yours are mild. Stick around, maby a few dumb questions but the best of answers are found right here. Good-luck on your TX.
Dear Fifi. Slow down and smell the roses. I'm always here for an intelligent chat. that's if my brain is working.
This is a good sight....it has helped me a lot...but I took the time to read back posts...sometimes info you need is answered in another post...the senior posters will give you website and info you can refer to.
To answer anyone's question they need basic pertinent info. and they won't give you medical answers because that would be unethical but they will relate their personal experiences and guide you to who or where to go.
Anyone who comes on this site isn't the only person who has HCV or Cirrhosis. There have many that have walked in those shoes before you.
So many of the new questions have already been answered over and over so reading past posts done in the last 3 - 9 months. I don't know how some of the most learned posters have the patience to answer the same questions over and over. But they do. Because they care and know each new poster is an individual who wants some info.
You can tell I am blunt because I have no patience with negativity, I have stage 4 cirrhosis and HCV and will hopefully be accepted on the transplant list. Have been through 3 different trials over the last 20 years...was accepting for tx and the new gilead but my hepatogolist chose not to do either because my liver is so bad.
There are people on here who are in worse shape than I am. We rely on each other. Maybe this isn't your cup to tea...there are other sites...but I will stick with this one because I grown to know and appreciate the posters.
If I hadn't had this group of people to ask questions I would still be in the dark. Good luck with your tx....there are a lot of articles and posts and info related to tx on this site.
As an ex/manager/supervisor all my employees knew not to come to me with a complaint unless it was detailed and a solution. What is your solution?
To answer anyone's question they need basic pertinent info. and they won't give you medical answers because that would be unethical but they will relate their personal experiences and guide you to who or where to go.
Anyone who comes on this site isn't the only person who has HCV or Cirrhosis. There have many that have walked in those shoes before you.
So many of the new questions have already been answered over and over so reading past posts done in the last 3 - 9 months. I don't know how some of the most learned posters have the patience to answer the same questions over and over. But they do. Because they care and know each new poster is an individual who wants some info.
You can tell I am blunt because I have no patience with negativity, I have stage 4 cirrhosis and HCV and will hopefully be accepted on the transplant list. Have been through 3 different trials over the last 20 years...was accepting for tx and the new gilead but my hepatogolist chose not to do either because my liver is so bad.
There are people on here who are in worse shape than I am. We rely on each other. Maybe this isn't your cup to tea...there are other sites...but I will stick with this one because I grown to know and appreciate the posters.
If I hadn't had this group of people to ask questions I would still be in the dark. Good luck with your tx....there are a lot of articles and posts and info related to tx on this site.
As an ex/manager/supervisor all my employees knew not to come to me with a complaint unless it was detailed and a solution. What is your solution?
The replies to your question have been very clear and sensitive.
It may serve you to pay attention to what these good people are saying to you, fifi.
It may serve you to pay attention to what these good people are saying to you, fifi.
" that would be unethical "
Good response. To add a little, giving medical advise without the proper license to do so is illegal in all 50 states, not to mention that the possible civil liability can result in huge judgements...Mark
Good response. To add a little, giving medical advise without the proper license to do so is illegal in all 50 states, not to mention that the possible civil liability can result in huge judgements...Mark
OK, five and a bit years ago, I moved away from a violent relationship. I met a gentle man who introduced me to Aloe Vera and I have taken about 50 mls every day along with pomesteen, a very strong antioxidant. I have replaced a lot of household items that use chemicals with aloe vera products. I think this is more popular choice in US of A than here in Oz, but anyhow, I reckon the aloe has helped keep my liver functioning well. Now, I understand that Comlementary medicine may not get rid of the virus, but I'm willing to give it a try. there's also a more extreme representation of this viewpoint in an article titledAlternative Hope for Hep C. I do understand that the lifestyle choices may just help management of the virus! But, I think it shifts the responsibility back on the individual to take responsibility for ones own health! A miracle medical cure jst doesn't sit tight with me. I think I share a like spirit with the author of the above, Diana Donaldson. the liver doctor mentioned St Mary's thistle at my first appointment, I tried so hard to remember the herb that had skipped off her tongue. My reading pointed me to this herb but it has to contain Silymarin. Look I don't claim to know everything. You have to put everything into perspective, and I do understand the skeptics. I've also introduced licorice root tea, magnesium oil rubbed into the skin, taking organic sea salt in my water.. Sugar supplement with chromium... That was just after my first naturopath appointment. the second appointment will incorporate some treatments to target the virus so I guess it won't taste quite as nice......
Not criticizing, just thought I'd start with a little slightly provocative comment...ha ha
In the US we would probably use the term, 'alternative medicine' for what you are calling complementary. I think the term complementary is actually quite nice and accurate.
Nonetheless, the sad truth is this insidious virus is not easy to get rid of.
Determined to find an herbal route to rid myself of hep C, I found none existed though complementary medicine can indeed help with symptoms of the virus and side effects of treatment.
What is always of primary importance, is the health of your liver, when considering when to begin treatment.
I had ESLD, end stage liver disease, took silymarin, ( the active ingredient in milk thistle ) as well as a host of supplements. This did not stop the progression of the virus and I am only here typing today because of a liver transplant that saved my life.
You are wise to rid yourself of chemical cleaners in your home. Our livers filter everything we eat and breath. But this alone will not improve the condition of your liver, just as eating organically helps our livers since they don't have to work so hard but it will not reverse damage from the virus.
Currently the only way to be rid of hep C is by taking strong medicines, though less difficult treatments than interferon are doing extremely well in clinical trials.
Nonetheless, the sad truth is this insidious virus is not easy to get rid of.
Determined to find an herbal route to rid myself of hep C, I found none existed though complementary medicine can indeed help with symptoms of the virus and side effects of treatment.
What is always of primary importance, is the health of your liver, when considering when to begin treatment.
I had ESLD, end stage liver disease, took silymarin, ( the active ingredient in milk thistle ) as well as a host of supplements. This did not stop the progression of the virus and I am only here typing today because of a liver transplant that saved my life.
You are wise to rid yourself of chemical cleaners in your home. Our livers filter everything we eat and breath. But this alone will not improve the condition of your liver, just as eating organically helps our livers since they don't have to work so hard but it will not reverse damage from the virus.
Currently the only way to be rid of hep C is by taking strong medicines, though less difficult treatments than interferon are doing extremely well in clinical trials.
Seems I too had some great struggles with understanding what is here at this site.
Then I found as has been for so long in my life, I have trust issues, and find that apparent willful stupidity are misleading others is very harmful and have no tolerance for such things.
Honestly, I believe there are many here who are the same, We are tiring to get healthy, and this is scary as hell,
I have over the course of 27 weeks, found myself lost in what I had began, and had it not been for the few whom have chosen to bear with me, and have helped me through times I would,( if I could ) pull the plug.
To close I would only wish you the best of luck, take what you need and leave the rest.
Then I found as has been for so long in my life, I have trust issues, and find that apparent willful stupidity are misleading others is very harmful and have no tolerance for such things.
Honestly, I believe there are many here who are the same, We are tiring to get healthy, and this is scary as hell,
I have over the course of 27 weeks, found myself lost in what I had began, and had it not been for the few whom have chosen to bear with me, and have helped me through times I would,( if I could ) pull the plug.
To close I would only wish you the best of luck, take what you need and leave the rest.
If you click on the link I provided, one of the first discussions by HepatitisResearcher is on the subject of anti-fibrotics. HR probably has more knowledge on this subject than any other doctor or researcher in the field of hepatic virology and how the virus damages the liver. You may wish to read some of his material before visiting your naturopath.
His discussions are some of the best real information on complimentary medicine.
His discussions are some of the best real information on complimentary medicine.
It's not about the quality of the question....it's about the quality of the answer.
Hello, FiFi~ have you had a biopsy yet? Some peoples' livers dont seem to be affected by Hep C, as much as others. Alot of people will be at Stage 2 (liver is half-way shot out, as stage 4 is cirrhosis) after having Hep C for 20 yrs. Others have stage 0 or 1, and other are at stage 4, in less then 20 yrs.
The point I want to make is this: if your liver is still healthy (stage 0) then you would not need all the expensive Alternative products.
I tried to cure myself with Alpha Lipoic acid, high doses of Vitamin C, sam-E, Selenium, NAC....zinc, vitamin e (the list goes on, and I still have two shelfs of these expensive products on my shelf). I did all the right things: no alcohol or drugs, I ate well, took all my supplements, etc.
Sometimes I feel like me trying to cure myself actually got me sick. My liver enzymes became very elevated after this regimen, and my platelets went below normal. After I was Treated with Interferon, Ribaviran and Victrelis, I cleared the virus after only 4 weeks of these meds! My enzymes went back to normal. Last feb I wnet for my 6 months post Treatment labs, and still no hep c virus, so my Doctor told me to consider myself cured.
Also my platelets went back to normal, so it wasn't cirrhosis making them low (my biopsy had me at a stage 2, but with grade 3 inflamation)
My Doctor thought that because my body was trying to fight the virus on it's own, so strongly, that I had tons of antibodies in my spleen, causing the platelets to drop.
The people who arent made sick by Hep C, are the people who's immune systems are ignoring the virus. So by us trying to cure our-selves, via these immune-boosting supplements and antioxidants...it makes me wonder if it actually made me worse, the Alternative Medicine route, that is.
The point I want to make is this: if your liver is still healthy (stage 0) then you would not need all the expensive Alternative products.
I tried to cure myself with Alpha Lipoic acid, high doses of Vitamin C, sam-E, Selenium, NAC....zinc, vitamin e (the list goes on, and I still have two shelfs of these expensive products on my shelf). I did all the right things: no alcohol or drugs, I ate well, took all my supplements, etc.
Sometimes I feel like me trying to cure myself actually got me sick. My liver enzymes became very elevated after this regimen, and my platelets went below normal. After I was Treated with Interferon, Ribaviran and Victrelis, I cleared the virus after only 4 weeks of these meds! My enzymes went back to normal. Last feb I wnet for my 6 months post Treatment labs, and still no hep c virus, so my Doctor told me to consider myself cured.
Also my platelets went back to normal, so it wasn't cirrhosis making them low (my biopsy had me at a stage 2, but with grade 3 inflamation)
My Doctor thought that because my body was trying to fight the virus on it's own, so strongly, that I had tons of antibodies in my spleen, causing the platelets to drop.
The people who arent made sick by Hep C, are the people who's immune systems are ignoring the virus. So by us trying to cure our-selves, via these immune-boosting supplements and antioxidants...it makes me wonder if it actually made me worse, the Alternative Medicine route, that is.
No biopsy, the fibroscan is used instead which registered within normal... Wouldn't a biopsy depend on where they take the specimen from??? The liver is quite a large organ. Isn't it likely that Hep C causes damage randomly, so a sample from the top left side could be very different to the bottom right side?
Sorry, what do you mean when you said that the fibroscan registered within normal? What value was that exactly? As far as I know there is no "normal" or "abnormal" classification of a fibroscan result.
Interesting reading about Diana Donaldson, I can understand why it resonates with you. Unfortunately her website does not seem to be up to date in regards to treatment choices out there and on the success rate. Not to mention that she has some quite inaccurate claims about the so called results she had such as the 2/3 drops of her VL load. All of us had this on a regular basis without any extra supplements. Is just the nature of this disease to have ups and downs.
Interesting reading about Diana Donaldson, I can understand why it resonates with you. Unfortunately her website does not seem to be up to date in regards to treatment choices out there and on the success rate. Not to mention that she has some quite inaccurate claims about the so called results she had such as the 2/3 drops of her VL load. All of us had this on a regular basis without any extra supplements. Is just the nature of this disease to have ups and downs.
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